March 24, 2006: In 1995, Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 did something unexpected: it fell apart. For no apparent reason, the comet's nucleus split into at least three "mini-comets" flying single file through space. Astronomers watched with interest, but the view was blurry even through large telescopes. "73P" was a hundred and fifty million miles away.
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We're about to get a much closer look. In May 2006 the fragments are going to fly past Earth closer than any comet has come in more than twenty years.

Cool! I doubt I'll be able to see it though - I'm lucky I can see the moon with my dinky little telescope. Besides, I'd have to try to time it so the lights in the courtyard wouldn't be blocking my view yet.

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Thinking, understanding, reasoning, willing, call not these
Soul! They are its actions, but they are not its essence.

This was indeed very interesting Plat, thank you for sharing this with all of us.

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"To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!"

The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Ooooh! I can hardly wait for that! Since I'm such an early bird anyhow, and we live well enough out in the country to avoid light polution, there's a good chance I could get to see this! Thanks for the info Plat!

My nephew just got a telescope for Christmas last year. He rarely usues it. We live in a small Texas town, far enough frmo the town itsleft ot not have interference with the town nights. Sometimes its so clear that you feel you can reach out and grab a star. The full moons are wonderful, making everything in shades of black, gray and silver. I can see the man on the moon with the naked eye out here...imagine what I could see with an assist.